kingdom of nations

Chapter 365 Nightmare (Part 1)

Hibler screamed and woke up from a nightmare.

Abigail, who was beside her, had long since fallen into a deep sleep due to the combined effects of alcohol and exhaustion, but was awakened by Hibil's scream. He then contorted his face, trying to find the person who dared to disturb him, and his hand unconsciously reached for his whip or dagger by the pillow. But then he sobered up. Tonight, he was not sleeping in his own bedroom, but sharing a bed with Hibil.

After returning to Antioch, Abigail continued his womanizing ways, but this did not stop him from still deeply loving Hibil—Hibil was full of disgust for him, he knew, but so what? They would still sleep together without fail, hoping that one night of marital bliss would bring them a child.

Hiberl had already used that stillborn child to prove his fertility, and Abigail already had several illegitimate children.

But years passed and Hibyl's belly showed no signs of pregnancy, and some people began to whisper that she had lost her ability to have children because of her previous misfortune.

This was practically a curse. The pressure was even greater for Hibernathan than for Abigail, since Abigail could use her infertility as grounds to request the annulment of the engagement. A princess without children was of no value to Alaszael, and no one would want to marry her again. What use is a woman who cannot bear children?
Regardless of whether the man has any heirs, this engagement could be nullified at any time.

Although Eleanor of Aquitaine was a second wife, she already had two daughters with Louis VII before marrying Henry II. She was just unable to have sons, not infertile.

This forced Hibil to endure. She had to tolerate Abigail, Bohemond, the people of Allazarus, and the people of Antioch; she even had to kneel and apologize to her brother, whom she had once manipulated, begging for forgiveness. What was even more unbearable was that after Baldwin allowed her to stay in Allazarus, albeit briefly—to welcome Frederick I, Richard I, and Philip II—this was enough to slightly soften the attitude of those arrogant ministers. But was this what she wanted?
Absolutely not!

"What kind of nightmare?" Abigail asked with concern. He might have many flaws, but he was absolutely sincere towards Hibil.

As for whether Hibil had children, he didn't really care.

Abigail stretched out her only arm and put it around Hibil's shoulder. In the light of the candles brought by the maid, she examined Hibil's face. Her face was pale, her hair was disheveled, and her long linen nightgown was soaked with cold sweat. Abigail was immediately filled with boundless pity. How beautiful she was.

Even as a child, people said that Hibyl's beauty would surely surpass that of her aunt and mother. As a teenager, who could resist Hibyl's charms? Now, she had reached the age when she was at the most vibrant and graceful of a woman. He stared at her, his eyes unblinking, barely able to hear what Hibyl was saying.

Hibil quickly came to his senses, clutching his chest. He realized he had indeed said something he shouldn't have, but thankfully neither Abigail nor the maidservant had noticed.

She dreamt that Baldwin had a wife. Yes, the dream she had was that her brother had recovered, miraculously recovered, and people revered him as the most exalted and pure king of Arathi Basin, believing that he had finally passed the trials set by God. He was still alive, but had become a saint.

Baldwin then married a woman of high status, possibly Joan of England. They married, and Joan quickly gave birth to one, two, three, or even more sons—after all, Joan's mother was a prolific woman—and then, nothing more.

But for most people, the only purpose of her existence was to give birth to an heir for her brother.

If her brother also has an heir, although she will still have the right to inherit the throne of Alasar, this right will be greatly diminished. She doesn't even need to think about what the future will be like. Don't be fooled by Abigail's current infatuation with her, agreeing to almost any condition. She knows that it's only because Abigail still possesses beauty and youth. Once these two things are gone, given Abigail's temperament, she will be lucky to even enter a monastery.

"What child?" Abigail didn't hear him clearly and asked again. The hand he placed on Hibil's shoulder was wet and greasy, making Hibil feel nauseous. "No, no, it's nothing, I just remembered... our child."

"It's been many years, forget about it, Hibil. It's not your fault, nor mine. Perhaps it was too lovely, so God brought it back to heaven. He will bless us."

We will have another child, a boy.

“Is that so?” Hibil murmured.

Abi should have laughed. Yes, he liked this feeling, with only him and Hibil inside the heavy curtains, the maids and the candlelight, and even the whole world shut out.

He didn't need to look at those pitying, mocking, and contemptuous eyes, nor did he care about the problems Antioch was facing. Hibil turned around to face Abigail, and pushed away the hands that were on his shoulders, placing them on his knees.

The gesture appeared more intimate than before, but the area of ​​contact was much smaller. "I can't sleep, Abigail, talk to me."

Abigail was flattered. He even coughed lightly and deliberately slipped out of the tent to drink a glass of spiced wine before returning. He remembered the noble ladies saying that a clean-cut knight was rarer than a flea-free pig.

Hibil was also very clean; she bathed almost every day and used Apol's traditional soaps, Damask oil, and various spices and cosmetics that Abigail didn't quite understand...

But contrary to his imagined romantic scene, his wife did not want to express any love. When Hibil asked about the letters from Arazarus, Abigail showed an impatient expression: "I know they need reinforcements, food, and supplies."

But Antioch's master is still my father, not me. I have no right to make any decisions for him, nor can I lead knights into battle for them. Look at my arm!

Recalling that scene, his eyes turned vicious again. "I'm already a cripple. They came to me not to place me in some noble position, but simply to force me to make the wrong decision while my father was away in Antioch, and then shift all the blame onto me."

"When will your father return? As far as I know, he was not involved in this expedition."

“He’s still in Constantinople,” Abigail chuckled coldly. During the crusade, the King of Arazarus was the commander-in-chief of the Crusade and also the lord of Bohemond. He could assign him any task at will, and if he didn’t perform it well or even failed, the king could hold him accountable.

"What happened before—although people couldn't find any dirt on my father, who didn't know he was involved? He might even have been the mastermind. Now he stays in Constantinople, serving the young emperor like a Byzantine, vying for power with those Byzantines, but that's just to avoid their sharp edge. After all, who doesn't know the Holy City's spear and shield now?"

His scheme failed, so of course he needs to be wary of retaliation.

This answer certainly did not satisfy Hibler. "He is, after all, your father. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to make such a direct accusation?"

“Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?” Abigail said sincerely. “Hibil, I agreed to their request and conspired with them to do this treasonous thing, partly because of you—my father once thought of breaking off my engagement with you, do you know that?”

Hibil was genuinely surprised. "When?"

The marriage agreement with Princess Hibir of Arathal was something Bohemond had longed for; it was a huge bargaining chip. It was precisely for this reason that Amalric I only finally gave it to Bohemond on his deathbed to satisfy the latter's ever-growing appetite. In contrast, he appointed Raymond as Baldwin's regent, intending for them to check and balance each other, thus reducing the pressure on Baldwin.

But now, Baldwin has secured his position among knights and nobles with three victories, and more to come. Even though he is still a leper, even though he is unmarried, even though he has no heir, even though he may not live past thirty, his loyalty to him will be unwavering while he is still alive.

Thus, Hibil's only remaining value was her pregnancy, but she never became pregnant. Alasar couldn't wait any longer, and what worried Hibil most was that her younger sister Isabella was already ten years old, meaning Isabella was only two years away from being of marriageable age.

It is said that Queen Mother Maria has already begun searching for a husband for her, although the actual ceremony and the birth of children may not take place until Princess Isabella is fourteen or fifteen years old. Time flies! Once she has a son with another nobleman, Hibil's existence will become increasingly dispensable. Who will care about her?
Although women may still be able to have children in their forties or fifties, people don't necessarily have to wait until their sons grow up. "He wants to break off our engagement!" Hiberl cried out. She tightly grasped Abigail's only hand. Abigail felt Hiberl's hand was icy cold. She was pleased with herself and kept comforting her, saying that she would never break off the engagement with her, that she would always be her wife, and that they would have many children in the future, one of whom would surely become the king of Arazarus.

But such perfunctory words didn't register in Hibil's mind at all. Even when Abigail held her in her arms again and gently caressed her for a while, she remained oblivious, lost in her panic...

Abigail enjoyed it to the fullest, listening to her breathing gradually change from rapid to gentle, and then to even and steady.

He thought she was asleep, and Hibil did indeed close his eyes, but little did he know that just as Abigail had fallen back into a contented sleep, Hibil opened his eyes and slipped off the bed with a nimbleness reminiscent of a raccoon or a venomous snake.

The maids waiting outside the door were about to speak when she touched their lips slightly, and they immediately shut their mouths tightly. They dared not easily test Hibil's temper.

Even if it were for Hibil—Abigail wouldn't listen to their explanations; Hibil was going to whip them, and Abigail would only hand them the whip.

Carrying a linen robe and a mink cloak, Hibyl walked up the spiral staircase to the top of the tower. The guards at the top were startled by her, but then left at Hibyl's command.

This wasn't Hibil's first time here; it was the only place where she could vent her frustrations. She waited until the guards left and the wooden door behind her closed before beginning to mutter curses. She didn't know who to curse—she cursed her father, her brother, Queen Mother Maria, her sister Isabella, and Cesare. Yes, everything began to deviate from its original course after Cesare arrived at Holy Cross Castle. And what was that original course? It was, of course, what she had hoped for—her brother had died after fulfilling his mission to restore the glory of Arazarus; she would mourn him, she would often think of him, and more importantly, the child in her womb would become the new King of Arazarus.

She would become the Regent Queen of Arrassa, wielding immense power like Melisandre had before her. Even her husband would need her to bestow his crown; everyone would envy her, praise her, and idolize her…

How did I end up like this?
She stroked her lower abdomen, tears streaming down her face as she shouted her rant. She desperately wanted a child, not only for the continuation of her life, but also for the continuation of her future.

She gazed down at the city below—Antioka was an irregular rectangle, with its castle backed by the steep, towering Sipius Mountains and facing the Orentes River, serving as a vital passage from the Syrian interior to the Mediterranean.

As early as before Christ, it was an impressive military fortress, later a prosperous city, and now the capital of a nation. It can be said that although it has suffered numerous attacks—from the Persians, Romans, Saracens, and Christians—the only thing that could truly cripple it is an earthquake.

But compared to Yarasa Road, it still failed to win over Hibil.

It's not that it's not fertile; the Orientes Valley is exceptionally rich, providing Antioch with a wide variety of high-quality agricultural products, including barley and wheat, olives and grapes, and lilies.

People now know how to make lily oil, and her dressing table is never short of this precious essential oil. However, the long, rainy winters in Antioch are a blessing in disguise—for the garrison here, as their enemies are forced to retreat by then. But for those forced to remain here for so long, it only breeds depression and makes them unable to muster their strength.

Especially for someone like Hibler.

Sometimes she would gaze at the moss-covered city walls and even think of ordering soldiers to throw a few slaves or servants down to see their heads hit the walls and wonder what marks would be left—white brain matter, crimson blood, steaming entrails. She often fantasized about it, but knew she couldn't do it.

Bohemond of Antioch had his power usurped by his mother and stepfather, and his process of regaining power was extremely difficult. Because of this, he cherished his country and people very much. If it weren't for the King of Arrassal and Cesar, Bohemond could be considered a responsible lord, at least he fulfilled all the duties of a lord.

Most of the generals and ministers in the city favored Bohemond and did not think highly of Abigail. Of course, who would think highly of Abigail? Even Hibil had given him a chance, just as Baldwin had given him a chance, but he disappointed them time and time again.

Hibernath also knew that if Patriarch Heraclius said it would be true, once Abigail became the true master of Antioch, her status would inevitably rise, and she might even replace him—she wouldn't be the first princess of Arazarus to seize power from her husband or son.

On the other hand, Antioch would thus become a true vassal of Arrassal. Did her brother love her? No, he was already disappointed in her; he loved Cesare and Cesare's children more.

She knew that Baldwin had given his silver cradle to Cesar's eldest daughter.

Lorenz, a girl, received such special treatment, which truly made Hibler resentful.

Should she then help Abigail seize the throne of Antioch as these people demanded? This might be retribution for Bohemond, the Grand Prince of Antioch, but Hibern was still filled with terror. Her terror, of course, did not stem from her morality, and she felt no guilt.

Her concern was whether Abi could do what they demanded—and whether the person who devised such a wicked scheme would willingly walk into their trap.
She was unsure, and what she hated most was that she wanted to ask her brother for a guarantee, but Patriarch Heraclius refused.

Heraclius said that Baldwin would give her what she wanted, but only after Abigail became the Grand Duke of Antioch. She had wavered on this before, but now she had to reconsider. Did Bohemond even consider annulling her engagement to Abigail?
Although Abigail had become a cripple, a man, as long as he hadn't suffered any terrible things, could still have his own son even at sixty, not to mention... She knew what Bohemond was thinking—Isabella, if he just waited another two or three years, he would be able to find a new marriage for Abigail. He might encounter many obstacles—but he would always get what he wanted.

Hibil bit his lip, thinking hard but still unable to decide which way to go.

She didn't notice that the guards behind the wooden door, unusually, didn't urge her, but waited silently outside the door.

Hibyl composed herself again. The moon was sinking into the sea, and soon the place would be lit up, making it rather inappropriate for people to see her standing there wearing only a large cloak.

Hibler pushed open the door, and out of long-term laziness, she didn't even lift her head, simply saying, "You can go back now." She didn't even notice that the guard standing by the wooden door was no longer the same one as before.

When the other party did not answer, she became alert and tried to call out, but at that moment, a large hand reached out from behind and grabbed her face, forcing her to call out. The other hand reached for her waist, tightly binding her arms and pulling her into a small room next door.

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Queen Mary didn't know whether she should laugh out loud, but she found it utterly ridiculous. Standing before her was an envoy from Constantinople, sent by the Emperor—or rather, the Ducas family behind the Emperor, possibly with the involvement of Grand Duke Bohemond of Antioch—but their request was simply absurd.

Yes, they came to propose marriage to the Byzantine Emperor Alexander II, and the object of their proposal was, of course, only one: Princess Isabella of Arrassal, the youngest daughter of Amalric I.

In fact, the young couple are of similar age and status. Even though they are related by blood, they are not so close as to be worrying.

To the messenger, this marriage seemed like a match made in heaven, unparalleled in its kind.

But Queen Maria, who had almost given up everything to escape from the Grand Palace, would never send her own daughter to that terrible hell.
The current Emperor Alexander II is merely a puppet, backed by either Dukas or Bohemond. And she, residing on Arrassa Road, is unable, like Theodora, to leap into the sea to search for her child should anything happen.

Not to mention, these messengers did not bring a formal marriage agreement. Their intention was for Mary to let them take Isabella away first, and then let her marry the emperor when Isabella was old enough to have a ceremony.

"This is also for the safety of the little princess." These guys said seemingly sincerely, "The Saracens are right outside the city now. Who knows when they will invade? At that time, your safety and the little princess's safety cannot be guaranteed. It would be better for us to take the little princess away. She will live in the Grand Palace like any other noble lady in purple, and in the future, she will become the Queen of Byzantium."

Queen Mother Mary struggled to suppress her rant—were they acting for Isabella's safety? Of course not. These Byzantines were simply there to take advantage of the chaos. If they held Arazarus this time, they would gain one of Arazarus's heirs.

What if it's not possible?
It won't be of any trouble to them.

“Of course we haven’t come empty-handed, Your Highness. If you are willing to grant this marriage, the Emperor’s central fleet will cross the Mediterranean and confront Saladin’s navy—”

"Just a standoff?"

“That’s enough, Your Highness. Saladin fought his way all the way to Arazari with almost no losses. This is not Byzantium’s fault…”

"The Saracens are our common enemy!"

“You are right, but Saladin is clearly a lenient monarch—while the Crusaders… Frederick I once threatened our emperor, saying he would allow his knights to plunder Constantinople… We don’t need much, Your Highness, you should think it over carefully.”

The messenger's sarcasm caused Queen Mother Maria's chest to heave several times. "...I am indeed considering the marriage of Isabella," she said, bowing her head with a helpless and sorrowful expression, followed by a strange firmness. "But not Alexander II," though on the surface Alexander II seemed quite suitable: "He is merely a figurehead and a toy for you." Judging from his past behavior, he had not inherited any of Manuel I's virtues, or rather, he had been exposed to Manuel I's worst traits.

“I can agree to the marriage, but the fiancé cannot be Komnen.”

What are you saying?

“Constantine Dukas of the Dukas family was once the emperor of Byzantium. Can’t you find another Constantine now?”

Queen Mother Maria looked directly at them and said, "My daughter is to marry the Emperor, not a puppet."

(End of this chapter)